The programs were selected from applications submitted by educational institutions from around the nation. The applications were evaluated by a panel of nationally recognized professionals in the field using strict research-based criteria that focused on three clusters of components: (1) career guidance and counseling program plan; (2) collaboration, articulation, and communication efforts; and (3) institutional support, leadership, and program evaluation. The final determination was made by a team from the OSS who visited the top ranked programs.
OSS announced the programs selected for recognition in a variety of national newsletters. Information about the programs has been highlighted in OSS' publications and presentations, and entered into the OSS' database of exemplary programs. Through the database, information about exemplary programs are disseminated more widely to various individuals, agencies, and other educational institutions. Representatives of the programs have been invited to make presentations at regional and national conferences. This document presents a synthesis of the nine programs identified, provides a description of each program, and gives the name, phone number, and address of a contact person for each of the nine recognized programs. In addition, the text for each program's application (excluding attachments) is included in the Appendices. The reader is encouraged to contact OSS or the programs for more information.